Up close and ONtour with The Tea Party

Ontario is celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary in style.  All year long, the province is marking 150 years with events across the province.  ONtour is a free and all ages concert series that is stopping at more than 20 communities across Ontario featuring some pretty amazing Ontario musicians.  We have the pleasure of introducing you to some of this homegrown talent with interviews leading up to their performances.

On Thursday, August 3, The Tea Party will join Kim Mitchell and Kardinal Offishall at Victoria Park in London for this stop on the tour.  This will be The Tea Party’s  third performance in this summer concert series.  They have previously played in Sault Ste. Marie and Barrie (you can check out our photos of the night here). For more information on the show in London, check out the Facebook event  It is sure to be a great night!

Introduce yourself to the Canadian Beats readers.

My name is Jeff Burrows and I am the drummer for The Tea Party.

What part of Ontario are you from and/or currently reside in?

I am from southwestern Ontario, a small town called LaSalle. I still reside in that area.

You have been selected to be a performer in the ONTour Concert Series, an event to help celebrate Ontario’s 150th Anniversary.  How does it feel to be part of this event?

It’s an honour to be a part of such a celebrated tour. Having lived in Ontario all my life, I can certainly say we are privileged and passionate about playing these shows.

Ontario’s motto for many years has been, “Yours to discover”.  What is your favourite place to explore?

To pick just one place in Ontario to explore would be quite difficult. Our southern shores all the way up through Toronto and the very north is absolutely stunning. Last summer I had the opportunity to go to the Tobermory region and was completely astounded at its beauty.

Touring as a musician has likely brought you to many unique locations to dine in.  In your opinion, what is Ontario’s best kept secret to eat at?

I think the food scene around the world and especially in Ontario has really picked up the pace so far as competition goes. I love restaurants that embrace their region for meats, and vegetables… Of course most major cities have the best fine dining and perhaps the biggest wine lists, but I would be remiss not to mention how amazing the food is in Windsor and Essex County!

What is your favourite Ontario music festival or venue?
There are so many festivals to choose from in Ontario, again it would be very difficult to choose just one. I do however work with Bluesfest Windsor in our hometown and have realized that the amount of energy, effort and volunteerism that is required. Hats off to anyone who puts their best foot forward for their community and works on behalf of them!  I would like to mention, that has a band, we really had no idea at how many beautiful theatres there are in this province… We were completely blown away during our last tour, truly astounding!

There are so many talented artists who are taking part in this special tour.  Who are you excited to check out?

I must say we were recently honoured to share the stage with USS, and are very much looking forward to sharing the stage with Kim Mitchell.

Are you performing at any other music festivals this summer that you would like to tell us about?

We will be at Victoria Park in London Ontario, August 3… It’s going to be absolutely amazing! After that we’re out of country for the weekend, then take the rest of the summer off.

What does the rest of 2017 look like for you?

Once October/November comes around we will be heading back to Australia to wrap up the year.

Why are you proud to be an Ontarian? 

I’m proud to be an Ontarian and because of our four very distinctive seasons. The people here are very giving, and supportive to everyone else regardless of where they come from or their religion, their colour, etc.

? “Give us a place to stand, ? and a place to grow, ? and call this land, Ontario…? A place to stand, a place to grow…?Ontari-ari-ariooo! ?

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